This specification covers engine oils for light-duty and heavy-duty internal combustion engines used under a variety of operating conditions in automobiles, trucks, vans, buses, and off-highway farm, industrial, and construction equipment. Automotive engine oils are classified in three general arrangements: S, C, and Energy Conserving. These arrangements are further divided into categories with performance measured as follows: SH, SJ, SL, SM, CF-4, CF, CF-2, CG-4, CH-4, CI-4, CJ-4, Energy Conserving associated with SJ, and Energy Conserving associated with SL. Different bench and chemical tests shall be performed to help evaluate some aspects of engine oil performance.

This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.

1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers engine oils for light-duty and heavy-duty internal combustion engines used under a variety of operating conditions in automobiles, trucks, vans, buses, and off-highway farm, industrial, and construction equipment.

1.3 This specification is based on engine test results that generally have been correlated with results obtained on reference oils in actual service engines operating with gasoline or diesel fuel. As it pertains to the API SL engine oil category, it is based on engine test results that generally have been correlated with results obtained on reference oils run in gasoline engine Sequence Tests that defined engine oil categories prior to 2000. It should be recognized that not all aspects of engine oil performance are evaluated by the engine tests in this specification. In addition, when assessing oil performance, it is desirable that the oil be evaluated under actual operating conditions.

1.4 This specification includes bench and chemical tests that help evaluate some aspects of engine oil performance not covered by the engine tests in this specification.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5.1Exceptions:

1.5.1.1 The roller follower shaft wear in Test Method D5966 is in mils.

1.5.1.2 The oil consumption in Test Method D6750 is in grams per kilowatthour.

D5293 Test Method for Apparent Viscosity of Engine Oils and Base Stocks Between 10C and 35C Using Cold-Cranking Simulator

D5302 Test Method for Evaluation of Automotive Engine Oils for Inhibition of Deposit Formation and Wear in a Spark-Ignition Internal Combustion Engine Fueled with Gasoline and Operated Under Low-Temperature, Light-Duty Conditions